Approval from RTA needed to raise or lower car suspension

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 17 Jul 2009, 4:34 pm

#724542

this law is bound to piss alot of people off me included as 2 out of 3 of my cars are lowered more than 5cm but as i said earlier i can see the logic behind it in making our roads safer.
theres sensible lowering which improves a cars handling but most people go beyond that purely for the looks which is when they start becoming dangerous

donn wrote:thing I can't come to grips with is the statement "Mr Daley says while drivers may think a lowered car looks "cool" it really is dangerous and any adjustment of more than five centimetres doesn't belong on the road." how can it be dangerous (without qualifying this part of his statement" when cars built for the track are considerably lower than standard just to make them handle better ie. safer cars.
While I personaly agree that some of those cars out there on the road are just stupidly lowered, once a cert is isued to say the work is done correctly with no advers effects on the vehicles safety then that should be that. There, my 2 cents worth with out one *^@+**^

go for a ride in some of these sex-spec P plater cars
they ride like a shopping trolley, absolutely no give in the suspension
cos the suspension doesnt absorb the bumps well it makes the cars bounce all over the road on rough roads
my ex's corolla on superlows was shocking on rough roads and it can make a car really unpredictable with the wrong conditions

fortunately most of them are in the cities where the worst hazard they might come up against is a lump of bird shit on the road but bring them around here were potholes are often 4" deep and see if their cars are still in one piece by the end of the day

Gringo_54_oval Officially Full-On Dubber

240 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 18 Jul 2009, 9:42 am

#724628

BOOMERDOG wrote:so considering my car has been lowered for over 23 years on the same settings this makes it dangerous??,do me a fucking favour!leave it out..
what a bunch of fucking knobheads!
so this now means i need an engineers report for something that was proffesionally built that long ago???
fuck this makes me mad..😬😬
they can go fuck em selves as far as i'm concerned..

WANKERS....

Im with this guy i think these assholes are doing any bullshit to try and recover their governments lost billions trillions from what ever reason they can.fucken assholes.my hiace and bug are both low what am i supose to raise em for these pricks fuck them.eat a dick
if i cant get over a speed hump without angling the car thats my problem but no lets book these guys and rip money from them.that pisses me off.
ok i feel better now

MISS VDUB Administrator Mrs KOMBIBOB

2,565 posts · joined Sep 2005 · 18 Jul 2009, 4:03 pm

#724662

Having a lowered car has actually taught me how to drive sensibly and properly. Look at half these "standard" cars on the road... it's not the cars that are the problem, it's the dickheads behind the wheel who can't drive, or the idiot who insists on driving a tank but can't see over the bloody dash!

1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 18 Jul 2009, 9:24 pm

#724706

I agree that the RTA has had rules for suspension modifications for as many years as i have been in the trade,unfortunately not everyone worked to these rules. A good example is the 4WD's that are raised so much that they are unstable or the wackers with the air bags that raise and lower the vehicle as they go along.There is no way that these vehicles can meet the roadworthy requirements as regards light alignment or minimum clearances.These monsters should never be registered for road use. If your vehicle meets the standards there should be no problems. Most modified vehicles have an engineers certificate to cover modifications and if they don't that is your decision.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Jul 2009, 9:38 pm

#724708

Hi

Here is the f wits details, tell him what you think, but remember he he is more likely to listen to your point if don't abuse him or use swear words.

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/Parlment/Members.nsf/c1f0a145443eba46ca256ce000181fd1/f81ed499e90a76a7ca25705700192d10!OpenDocument

He was also partly responsible for the cross city tunnel in Sydney, I wonder if he drives a car or gets chauffeured around like stupid Nathan?

Steve

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 18 Jul 2009, 10:36 pm

#724712

has anyone found more details on this rule yet?

how the hell are they going to work out a "standard" height for our beetles and kombis and where it's measured from.......and differences for each year model........will a change in diameter or tyre profile effect this measured height!!

😵‍💫

Gringo_54_oval Officially Full-On Dubber

240 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 19 Jul 2009, 2:05 am

#724737

i know one thing when i bought my oval home for the 1st time it had skinny tall 15' rims and sat like a bus,i slammed it and shoved 18s on it ask me which handles better.i recon this new ban stinks.
dont like it at all
thanks....

FROSTY Insano Dub Head

744 posts · joined May 2009 · 19 Jul 2009, 8:21 am

#724752

This will not seem to effect anyone in Qld unless you are getting roadworthy cert. (not like Nsw every year) There has always been laws to how much a car can be lowered. Years ago I was pulled up for having the nose almost on the ground and had a fix-it note given, (to be put it over their pits in a roadworthy condition within 4 weeks). saying this "What is the original height of a early Beetle?" (Nose to ground and Rear Velance to ground)
thanks

Gary L Seriously Crusin Dubber

146 posts · joined Feb 2009 · 19 Jul 2009, 7:19 pm

#724855

Hi I don't think the rule will work reason 1 - If I was to lower my vehicle interstate then return back to NSW, when I do my registration is the mechanic going to care when it was completed for all he would know it could be two years ago.
Please tell me if you believe this will not work.

A wave a day keeps the doctor away especially in a VW 😎:

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 19 Jul 2009, 8:27 pm

#724871

Sorry guys but i think there is a lot of over reaction to this rule,as I said previously these rules have been in force for over 40 years. I can remember the spec sheets that I was issued with when I started doing reg'n inspections and these included bump stop clearances ,maximum wheel /track sizes max engine size etc. From memory suspension could be dropped by 1/3rd from standard. Of course over the years this rule has been abused and as Joel says the ricers dropped on their guts making them unstable pieces of s...t are one of the reasons the RTA is looking at all modified vehicles.Every now and then they used to have a blitz up here on un roadworthy/modified vehicles but the do gooders and solicitors made a mockery of the system and now everyone will suffer and meet the requirements.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jul 2009, 1:20 am

#724902

Hi

The new rules are on the RTA site now http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi_50_raising-and-lowering-vehicles_17-july-2009.pdf

The way that i read them it doesn't seem all that bad, there doesn't seem to be an amount of lowering that is allowed, but any lowering needs engineering approval.

So you can flout these laws if you want but in the end if you crash your car the insurance companies will be having a close look at your cars compliance.

This may worry some VW owners "Drop axles/spindles must not be used to lower a vehicles ride height."

Steve

squizy Thinking about another dub...maybe

4,082 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 20 Jul 2009, 8:06 am

#724924

As Nick said, the fun police are out.

I like this quote from The Australian...

"It can affect handling, braking and safety features such as electronic stability control."

Of course all of our old VW's have electronic stability control!

So the three inch blocks on the back of my HR are out and the cut springs too? Ha ha. Catch me.

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 20 Jul 2009, 8:21 am

#724926

...........front and rear must be lowered equal amounts...............

there goes the "raked" look

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jul 2009, 10:13 am

#724938

Hi

I bet that all the RTA engineers phones will be running hot so that people can get their cars approved by 31st July.

Steve

XXX-1.8T Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,113 posts · joined Oct 2002 · 20 Jul 2009, 10:41 am

#724945

This may worry some VW owners "Drop axles/spindles must not be used to lower a vehicles ride height."

Steve

Im confused.

My cars are both insured as modified vehicles including suspension mods.

Does this mean im ok?

Also my bug has an adjustable front beam does this mean that my car is illegal now?

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jul 2009, 12:04 pm

#724957

Am i reading this wrong??

"A person intending to raise or lower a vehicle should seek the assistance of an engineering signatory
prior to commencing the modification. Refer to VSI No. 15 for a list of engineering signatories."

"Once a vehicle has been raised or lowered, it must be checked by an Authorised Examiner at an
Authorised Unregistered Vehicle Inspection Station (AUVIS) inspection, commonly referred to as a ‘blue
slip’ inspection. This inspection will cover the design and installation of the components used in the
modification, and include specific safety check requirements and verification of the certificate issued by
the engineering signatory or manufacturer as appropriate. Once the vehicle has passed an AUVIS
inspection, an ‘Adjustment of Records’ form must be completed and presented to an RTA registry for
processing."

So all i need to do is get a blue slip???

I only need to seek the assistance of an engineer??

Futue te ipsum!!!

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 20 Jul 2009, 12:28 pm

#724958

engineeers signatuory different to blue slip inspection

reads to me that anything being registered (as in new "blue slip" type) after August 1st will need an engineers certificate............

..........everything else should be picked up in the next 12 months by "pink" slip renewals and then a engineers certificate will be needed to pass for rego renewal.............

and everything else deemed lowered by random RTA or police rego checks will also be sent for engineers certificates...............YAY!

we need to start a list of engineers that people have had good results with and get all these beetles of ours up to scratch quick

my cars no longer lowered anyways 🙄

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 20 Jul 2009, 12:49 pm

#724963

I know a good engineer and a blue slip guy.😂😂
like several of you have already noticed its up to the individual to how they interpret the rules

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jul 2009, 12:56 pm

#724965

Just rang the RTA Technical Unit. They say that the new rules only apply to cars that are registered (blue slipped) after 31 July. If you have modified your car before 31 July, and it is currently registered, then you need do nothing, your OK as long as your registration is kept up to date.

He said if you just say it was modified before 31 July, and it was actually done after 31 July then thats a legal matter between you and the enforcing authority, i.e you have to prove it was done prior to 31 July.

If you leave it until after 31 July, then you need an engineers certifcation of the lowering/raisying mod. All the blue slip inspector does is check the certificate matches the modifications on the car.

I think I might get a job as an Engineer, they are going to be busy as hell with all this.

Cheers

Steve

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 20 Jul 2009, 1:25 pm

#724970

I think those young blokes with air bags in their Utes are going to have heaps of trouble.🤪

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jul 2009, 1:34 pm

#724971

Hi

This may clean up the guys with the rice buckets and their ghetto lowering jobs.

Steve

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 20 Jul 2009, 2:42 pm

#724975

1303Steve wrote:Hi

This may clean up the guys with the rice buckets and their ghetto lowering jobs.

Steve

That's the task of Highway Patrol and/or RTA inspectors, not the Minister for Roads.

meanwhile, anyone with a 4WD with taller springs for towing, or a VW with 195/60/15 front tyres is in the 5hite

Pay your debts, CxxT

SuperOwen Fahrvergnugen

868 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 20 Jul 2009, 5:05 pm

#724993

So after all the commotion it looks like all we have to do is have our cars inspected for a blue slip and have 100mm ground clearance? sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 20 Jul 2009, 6:43 pm

#725019

VWCOOL wrote:meanwhile, anyone with a 4WD with taller springs for towing, or a VW with 195/60/15 front tyres is in the 5hite

damn should i be worried with a 4.5" dropped front end and 18" 225/40 tyres 😂

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 20 Jul 2009, 7:30 pm

#725036

tyres only come into the heavily "modified" class if the overall diameter is reduced by 15mm

i'm thinking my sump is not 100mm clear and it's torsion bars are at standard height🙄

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 20 Jul 2009, 7:40 pm

#725038

i doubt it will be heavily policed in older cars just like these new P plater rules about driving turbo and V8 vehicles

more for these young guys with newer cars that mummy and daddy had to co-sign for

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 20 Jul 2009, 7:48 pm

#725040

hmmm, just had a run around my beetle with tape measure and calculator......

minimum distance at center point of vehicle looks ok......

lucky the sump plug has been ground (literally 😂 ) away by half it's thickness, cause that's the few mm i needed

flange on exhaust makes it by a bit, but not if she was lowered

i'm still moving to QLD tho 😁

Gringo_54_oval Officially Full-On Dubber

240 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 20 Jul 2009, 8:04 pm

#725044

i just measured mine and found that the front beam is 70mm and exhaust is 90mm ground clearance PISSSS!!!i think i might jack it up and give it a raise just to be on the safe side.
BUT! i do appreciate a low bug or bus.imagine if we all had to raise our cars to original height how boring the shows would be (for me anyway)🙅

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 20 Jul 2009, 8:20 pm

#725051

🤪As i said a lot of over reaction,but still the onus will come back to the RTA's fall guy ie the examiner and the interpretation of the rules by the RTA inspector at the time of inspection.

hewey Seriously Crusin Dubber

107 posts · joined Oct 2004 · 21 Jul 2009, 5:31 pm

#725222

In response to some of the comments on here:

how will this apply with the hotrod boys?

The pdf from RTA only refers to cars with "unconditional rego" (ie, normal rego). Street Rod rego is classified as 'conditional rego' so therefore rods on SR rego will not be affected. Cars going on SR rego need a full engineers certificate for rego anyway, so it doesn’t really affect them too much. Classic car (or club rego) is also classified as 'conditional rego', but my understanding is a car needs to be stock to go under club rego scheme anyway.

Sorry guys but i think there is a lot of over reaction to this rule,as I said previously these rules have been in force for over 40 years. I can remember the spec sheets that I was issued with when I started doing reg'n inspections and these included bump stop clearances ,maximum wheel /track sizes max engine size etc. From memory suspension could be dropped by 1/3rd from standard. Of course over the years this rule has been abused and as Joel says the ricers dropped on their guts making them unstable pieces of s...t are one of the reasons the RTA is looking at all modified vehicles.Every now and then they used to have a blitz up here on un roadworthy/modified vehicles but the do gooders and solicitors made a mockery of the system and now everyone will suffer and meet the requirements.

Sure there are unsafe ricers and mini trucks which can lay their chassis/body on the ground driving around at the moment. However many of these are illegal under the current laws, so making them more restrictive wont achieve much! Currently an air bagged ride can only be slammed when it is stationary, and even at maximum droop, it must retain its 100mm minimum ride height, in case the bags fail. Obviously, if a mini truck can lay rail, its not going to have that clearance if the bags fail!

The way that i read them it doesn't seem all that bad, there doesn't seem to be an amount of lowering that is allowed

The MAXIMUM you will be able to lower your car is 50mm (that’s not even 2 inches!)

All the cars currently registered are sweet, because it only affects mods done after the introductory date. But if in a couple months time I find a sweet stocker bug, the maximum I can lower it is 50mm, and even if I lower it a meazly inch I will need a full engineers report (which also jacks the price of the whole process up). It also means if I find a nice kombi interstate and it has been lowered 2 inches, I am not able to lower it because it is has been too wildly modified.